Skin treating compositions



United States Patent "ice 3,272,711 SKIN TREATING COMPOSITIONS Sidney J. M. Walker, Apt. 606, 64 St. Clair Ave. W., Toronto, Ontario, Canada No Drawing. Filed July 23, 1963, Ser. No. 296,933 Claims priority, application Canada, July 27, 1962, 8 4,690 3 Claims. (Cl. 167-86) The invention relates to a water-soluble combination of two powders which in solution act as a local fungistatic, deodorant and anti-perspirant. Primarily the invention is intended for use in the treatment of hyperhidrosis of the feet and its common complication dermatophytosis (athletes foot, ringworm of the foot, tinea pedis, trichophytosis) Before discussing the improvements over present-day treatments which will be brought about by resort to the invention, a very brief review of hyperhidrosis of dermatophytosis will be made. This will help clarify the reasoning behind the invention.

Dermatophytosis is a condition of the foot resulting from the invasion, by a group of fungi, of the horny, keratinized layers of the skin. This part of the skin lies beyond the blood supply.

The causative organisms are more likely to launch a successful attack if the individuals feet have initially a tendency to perspire excessively (hyperhidrosis). Once the skin is invaded a viscous circle is set up thus; perspiration-fungi-more perspirationmore fungi. The end result is a thick soggy, hot, itchy, cracked, blistered skin, covered by a foul smelling scum, consisting of perspiration, fat, dead epithelial cells, fungi and a mixed bacterial flora. Particular attention should be paid to the following facts:

(a) That the skin is thickened.

(b) That fat is present.

Those are very import-ant factors in the theory on which the invention is based.

It has been said that dermatop-hytosis is due to fungi invading the horny layers of the skin. A logical method of treatment would therefore be to remove those layers completely and in actual fact treatment with this very end in view is a recognized procedure. This is the basis of treatment with Whitfields ointment, a desquamatory agent.

Whitfields ointment is successful in some cases but has the following disadvantages:

(a) It is tedious and time .consuming to apply and is therefore almost invariably applied to the affected part only. Surrounding areas are neglected. It therefore has limited therapeutic value, and as generally used, practically no prophylactic value.

(b) Unless applied diligently it will lack the necessary penetrating power.

(c) Being an ointment it is messy to apply and leaves a greasy sticky feeling on the feet, causing the socks to cling. Frequently patients object to this added discomfort.

(d) A certain amount of agility is required to apply any kind of ointment to the feet and disabled persons (e.g. arthritics) may find it physically impossible to apply ointment in a manner that could even begin to be efficient.

Other ointments and creams depend not upon their desquamatory action but upon the fungicide they contain. Being themselves ointments they of course suffer from the same disadvantage-s as Whitfields ointment.

Some fungicides come in liquid or powder form and this obviously eliminates the disadvantage of greasiness. Liquids and powders, however, both require equal or even more diligence on the part of the patient if they are to be applied effectively. It is very often difficult to educate 3,2 72,71 1 Patented Sept. 13, 1966 the patient in this regard, however, and as a consequence these remedies rarely prove to be as effective as had been anticipated.

Tincture of iodine has been used effectively in some cases and there is no question of this ability to penetrate. It has the distinct disadvantage, however, of being extremely irritating. Frequently in dermatophytosis, the skin is cracked and tincture of iodine applied there may cause pain, often so excruciating that many patients simply refuse to accept this form of treatment.

Various dyes, e.g. gentian violet and Castellanis paint have been used to some effect. Here penetration is usually good and only application with a piece of cotton-wool or a small brush is required. There is usually none of the severe pain associated with tincture of iodine. The great disadvantage here is the staining of socks, sheets, fingers, etc. that almost invariable occurs even in those who are extremely meticulous in their actions. Consequently dyes can be used only where the lesion is very limited in extent. As a general prophylactic for the whole foot, they can be given no consideration whatsoever.

Another disadvantage common to all the above treatments is that they aim primarily at the invading organism but neglect the hyperhidosis which is largely responsible for successful invasion by fungi in the first place.

I have discovered that existing disadvantages may be practically eliminated by the use of foot solution. Its use will demonstrate the advantages listed below:

(a) 'Rapid desquamatory action quickly removes the horny layer, leaving uninfected healthy skin beneath.

(b) Powerful detergent action dissolves natural grease producing through cleansing effect. This is in distinct contrast to the inefficient cleaning action of ordinary soaps.

(c) Mild astringent action inhibits the secretion of excessive perspiration.

(d) The combined effect of (a), (b), and (c) is to give the feet a few minutes after bathing, a dry, cool, comfortable sensation in marked contrast to the soggy, burning, itchy feeling.

(e) The combined effect of (-a), (b), and (c) will relieve hyperhidosis and mild cases of dermatophytosis. It may not be sufficient by itself to cure severe cases of dermatophytosis.

(f) In severe cases of dermatophytosis the effects of desquamation and detergence are still highly desirable, however, because as a consequence, the protect-ion of the superficial epithelial cells and of the fat is removed. Thus specific fungicides (e.g. undecylenic acid) when subsequently applied, can produce a much better wetting of the invading fungus. Consequently the fungicidal action is greatly enhanced and much fewer applications of the specific fungicide are required to produce a cure. Further, since the protective epithelium and fat have been removed, tedious rubbing-in of the fungicide is unnecessary.

(g) Since the patient has both feet wholly immersed in the solution the disadvantage of treating only the affected part (as for example with Whitfields ointment) is avoided. As a result treatment and prevention go hand in hand.

(h) Treatment is exceedingly simple and can be carried out even by the infirm.

(i) The simplicity of the treament saves time and eliminates tedium. It is therefore more likely to be acceptable to the patient.

(j) There .are no greasy ointments giving an uncomfortable sensation to the feet.

(k) There are no discolouring dyes. aesthetically acceptable by both sexes.

(1) Application causes no excruciating pain.

It is therefore Grams A. Sodium bicarbonate 18 B. Sodium Hexadecylsulphate 12 The specification of the said powders shall be:

Sodium bicarbonate purified to household (not pharmaceutical) standards.

Sodium hexadecyl sulphate purified to household (not pharmaceutical) standards.

Method of use.The two powers A and B are to be mixed so that they are uniformly distributed through each other. Thirty grams of this combination are to be thrown into one gallon of water at a temperature as hot as the feet can comfortably stand. The feet are then splashed around in the solution for two to four minutes. On removal from the solution the feet should be thoroughly rinsed in warm water, then dried. This procedure maybe carried out twice a day, prefer-ably morning and night.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A composition of matter comprising substantially 12 parts of sodium hexadecyl sulphate and substantially 18 parts of sodium bicarbonate.

2. A composition of matter according to claim 1 wherein said composition is in powder form.

3. A composition of matter comprising an aqueous solution of sodium hexadecyl sulphate and sodium bicarbonate, wherein the amounts of said components are substantially 12 parts of sodium hexadecyl sulphate, substantially 18 parts of sodium bicarbonate, said components being dissolved in Water.

References Citedby the Examiner FOREIGN PATENTS 12/1926 Great Britain.

OTHER REFERENCES LEWIS GOTTS, Primary Examiner.

FRANK CACCI APAGLIA, JR., Examiner.

RICHARD L. HUFF, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A COMPOSITION OF MATTER COMPRISING SUBSTANTIALLY 12 PARTS OF SODIUM HEXADECYL SULPHATE AND SUBSTANTIALLY 18 PARTS OF SODIUM BICARBONATE. 